new bike ,and very unhappy

[Triskeliongirl]

I had the same problem when I switched from a flat bar to a dropped bar bike. I took my bike to a park and practiced there. I didn't even deal with the clips (I had dual side pedals that are clip in on one side and platform on other). I suggest you start by putting the bike in your middle ring, so all you have to do is shift up and down the rear cogs. You may even practice that in a trainer if you have access to one. Get good at that, then learn to shift the front. Get good at that, then try riding with one foot clipped in and one free, then go to both feet. Give yourself time to adjust to each change.

[EBD]

I dropped my chain a few times when I first got the road bike - and not even necessarily on hills! It definitely takes time. It was months before I started using my front chain ring at all - just left it in the middle and only used the rear gears. Learning to use the shifters is a little like learning to drive a stick shift - knowing how the mechanism works is certainly helpful, but you also just have to develop a "feel" for it. I practiced on a paved bike trail for a while before I braved traffic.